This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA starts to make up for a quiet early part of the week with nine games on the schedule Thursday. That leaves us with no shortage of options to wade through on Yahoo, so let's get right to it and discuss some players to target at each position. Also, let's highlight a few who might be better off left alone.
GUARDS
Alec Burks, GS at MIN ($23): The Warriors will once again be without their primary scoring option with D'Angelo Russell (illness/shoulder) set to miss his second straight game. Burks entered the starting five with him out Monday against the Spurs and scored 28 points on 20 shot attempts across 38 minutes. Combine his likely expanded role with the Timberwolves playing at the fourth-fastest pace in the league and Burks should once again be in line for a productive evening.
Shabazz Napier, MIN vs. GS ($12): The key here will be the statuses of Andrew Wiggins (illness) and Jeff Teague (knee), who both sat out Wednesday against the Bucks. Napier stepped up to score 34.7 Yahoo points across 31 minutes om that contest and should once again have an expanded role if one, or both, players were to remain sidelined. At this price, he could be a real benefit to balancing out your budget, as well.
Guard to Avoid
Jamal Murray, DEN at IND ($25): This has the potential to be a low-scoring affair with the Nuggets and Pacers allowing the fewest and fifth-fewest points per game, respectively, in the league. Murray has already been a bit underwhelming of late, scoring 27.5 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last six contests. With so many other quality options to choose from, this doesn't look like the night to add Murray to your lineup.
FORWARDS
Joe Ingles, UTA at CHI ($21): Ingles had a fairly quiet performance against the Pistons on Monday, scoring 23.5 Yahoo points across 30 minutes. The Jazz didn't need him to be very aggressive during the blowout win and his 30 minutes were his fewest across his last 10 games. The Jazz have not been as impressive on the road this season and the Bulls have done a better job of keeping games close lately, so Ingles has a better chance for added playing time here.
Glenn Robinson III, GS at MIN ($16): Robinson helped to fill some of the scoring void created by Russell's absence against the Spurs, scoring 25 points across 40 minutes. During a nine-game stretch that Russell missed earlier this season, Russell averaged 12.1 shot attempts per game, which is an increase from his season average of 10.4 a night. With the Timberwolves allowing the fifth-most points per game, Robinson could be in line for another one of his better offensive showings.
Forward to Avoid
Kawhi Leonard, LAC vs. DET ($44): This game has blowout written all over it. The Pistons have lost eight of their last 10 games and are just 4-12 on the road this season. They will also likely be playing without Blake Griffin (knee), Luke Kennard (knee) and Markieff Morris (foot). The Clippers probably won't need Leonard to log a ton of minutes, making him too risky at this expensive price tag.
CENTERS
Richaun Holmes, SAC vs. MEM ($27): With Marvin Bagley III (foot) back on the shelf, Holmes is once again thrust into a significant role up front. He's responded by scoring at least 30.2 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. The last time we saw him take the floor against the Grizzlies, he recorded 40.4 Yahoo points. Considering they have allowed the third-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers, Holmes is primed to thrive in their rematch, as well.
Marquese Chriss, GS at MIN ($13): Russell isn't the only member of the Warriors' starting five who will be out for this matchup. Willie Cauley-Stein (illness) is set to miss his second straight game, opening up a spot at center. Kevon Looney (abdomen) will also be out, which sets up Chriss to take on an expanded role. He started and played 34 minutes with them both out against the Spurs, scoring 30.7 Yahoo points across 34 minutes.
Center to Avoid
Myles Turner, IND vs. DEN ($19): In general, this game doesn't have many appealing options based on the potential for such a low score on both sides. Turner is already providing underwhelming production lately, scoring 24.5 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. As crazy as this sounds, an argument can be made that Chriss has similar upside based on his situation and matchup, so it's difficult to justify paying the extra six dollars needed to add Turner to your entry.
